Noise complaints in Strata: Your rights and responsibilities

Living in a strata property has many perks—shared facilities, a sense of community, and convenience. But with people living close together, noise complaints in strata are one of the most common issues owners and tenants face. Whether it’s late-night parties, barking dogs, or renovations, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities in strata schemes when it comes to noise.

What counts as “excessive noise” in strata?

Everyday living noise (like footsteps, doors closing, or children playing) is generally considered part of strata life. However, excessive or unreasonable noise that disrupts your peaceful enjoyment of your home can be a breach of by-laws. Common examples include:

• Loud music or television late at night

• Ongoing parties or gatherings

• Constant dog barking

• Power tools or renovations outside permitted hours

Most strata schemes have by-laws about noise restrictions, often aligning with local council noise regulations.

Your rights as a strata resident

You have the right to quiet enjoyment of your property. If noise becomes disruptive:

1. Check your strata by-laws – These outline acceptable noise levels and quiet hours.

2. Speak with your neighbour – A friendly conversation often resolves things quickly.

3. Raise the issue with the strata manager or committee – If the noise continues, they can issue a breach notice.

4. Escalate if necessary – Persistent issues may be taken to your state’s tribunal (for example, NCAT in NSW) for resolution.

Your responsibilities as a resident

Just as you have the right to quiet enjoyment, you also have the responsibility to avoid causing nuisance to others. This means:

• Keeping music, TV, or gatherings to reasonable levels

• Following by-laws on renovation hours

• Ensuring pets don’t cause ongoing disturbance

• Being mindful of noise during quiet hours

How Strata committees can handle noise complaints

For committees and strata managers, it’s crucial to have a clear and fair process for handling complaints. Steps usually include:

• Logging the complaint in writing

• Contacting the resident to discuss the issue

• Issuing a formal notice to comply with by-laws if needed

• Involving mediation or tribunal action for ongoing breaches

Final Thoughts

Noise complaints in strata are inevitable, but they don’t have to escalate into long-term disputes. By knowing your rights, respecting your responsibilities, and following your scheme’s by-laws, most issues can be resolved quickly and amicably.

If you’re struggling with ongoing noise issues in your strata, your strata manager can help guide you through the right process.